Jennifer Clayton

Jennifer Clayton is a transfer psychology major from Franklin, TN

Hometown: Franklin, TN

High School: Wheaton North High School

Year: Expected graduation: Spring 2026

What is your major (and/or minor), and why did you decide on this course of study?
I chose a Bachelor of Science in psychology as my major because scientific research in psychology is vital to society and how people grow, learn and heal. I'll continue pursuing clinical psychology after graduation through further education, research and employment.

My minor is business administration, which is something I've always been interested in. I like to understand not only how people function, but also how businesses operate. It will be very helpful in any future positions I hold in psychology as it will give me financial, business and management literacy.

Tell us about the research you are conducting at NIU: what it involves, why it interests you and who has been important to your success along the way.
While at NIU I completed research under faculty mentors Dr. Randy McCarthy and Kevin Wu. The research focused on interpersonal communication through compliments and apologies. I presented at the Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference (PURC) and the Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE) to share my research in ostracism, prosocial behaviors, social judgments, trauma, emotion dysregulation and associated behaviors. This research taught me how to conduct in-person and online studies, how to collect and statistically analyze data, and how to work with a team to accomplish a research goal. It showed me that growth comes from many aspects of the work you do, not just the final product.

How has conducting research strengthened your experience at NIU, and how do you expect it to help you in the future?
Research at NIU has given me amazing opportunities to work with others, learn and present with a team and by myself. I have met quite a few people who have guided me through my journey as a student and researcher at NIU and made some lasting friends from labs. Conducting research has also helped me to be comfortable as a mentor and mentee, to crave learning and experiences, and to be thorough in my work.

What has genuinely surprised you about your experience at NIU?
It genuinely surprised me how many opportunities and events there are at NIU.

Are you involved in student organizations, mentoring programs or extracurricular activities? If so, which ones, and how have they shaped your experience as a Huskie?
I am a member of Psi-Chi and the Student Psychological Association, which has given me many opportunities to learn from faculty and guest lecturers, become involved in research, and meet unique and outstanding individuals. The organization that shaped me the most is the ambassador program Dr. Finkelstein created. It gives freshmen the opportunity to be mentored by a senior. I had the pleasure of being a mentor to two amazing groups during my senior year. I learned as much from my groups as they did from me. I made some awesome friends and learned a lot about helping people.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel supported and successful, and how?
The psychology department, CLAS advising and the College of Business have been very helpful in meeting all my degree requirements and providing opportunities.

Who has been a favorite instructor or professor, and what did they teach? What made them memorable?
I enjoyed multiple professors here at NIU. Dr. Randy McCarthy was an amazing mentor in my research experience. He always takes the time to get to know students and share his favorite research, and he helped me grow my passion for research. I always appreciate how friendly and kind Dr. McCarthy is, which makes intimidating things like presenting at conferences a lot more manageable. Dr. Lisa Finkelstein was an amazing guide at NIU. From Psychology 101 to her ambassador program, Dr. Finkelstein shares her passion for involvement and giving back to the point of it being contagious. I appreciated all the opportunities and knowledge she shares with her students. Dr. Richard Joaquin Ortiz was one of my favorite teaching professors. He was always neat and organized but brought real life into his Brain and Behavior course. I learned so much from him and always ended up laughing while doing so. He cares about his students and was a joy to learn from.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community, and why are you drawn to it?
I love the psychology building. It has so many kind people in it and a lot of study spots, and it feels like home!

How has NIU helped you find your community or your sense of belonging here?
I have found people just like me here at NIU. Through organizations, working on campus and attending events, I have found people who enjoy the same things I do, as well as people who offer different perspectives than mine.

Why is a college education important to you?
A college education is important because it gives you space to learn how the world works while you learn who you are. It gives you opportunities to be a leader, volunteer, employee, friend and much more, while you get vital information about how to function as an adult.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges right now?
Pick somewhere that gives you opportunities to be yourself and explore things you have never considered.

How do you manage your responsibilities like school, work, family and everything else while still making the most of your time at NIU?
As a commuter with two jobs, it's very important that I plan out time for my responsibilities, my NIU involvement and my family. I plan my schedule a few weeks in advance, and I accept that those plans can go awry. Being able to handle change is just as important as being able to make a plan. I also do my best to schedule time for self-care.

Where did you transfer from? What led you to choose NIU as your transfer destination?
I transferred from the College of DuPage. NIU’s psychology program had many courses and opportunities, so I came here to explore as much about psychology as I could.

What was the most challenging part of transferring, and how did NIU help you navigate it?
The most challenging part of transferring was coming in as a junior and feeling as if I was behind in involvement, research experience and CV building. Faculty such as Dr. McCarthy, Dr. Finkelstein and Dr. Ortiz helped me bridge those gaps quickly and gave much needed advice.

How has your experience at NIU compared to your expectations when you were considering the transfer?
My experience at NIU exceeded my exceptions quite a bit. I never knew there were so many opportunities to be involved.

What would you tell a community college student who is thinking about transferring to NIU?
NIU is a great place to continue your education. Come to NIU and get as involved as you can; I promise you won't regret it!

Do you live on campus or commute? How has living on campus (or commuting) shaped your experience as a Huskie? What support or resources have made that work well for you?
I commute, and it has made being involved a bit harder; however, many events are held right after classes end so you can schedule them into your calendar and still be involved. I also appreciate that some classes are available online, which can allow you to have more time on campus for involvement, though in-person classes are my favorite.

What scholarships or financial support have you received at NIU?
I received the Management Scholarship Fund and an Aim High Transfer Achievement Award.

Did the availability of scholarships or financial aid factor into your decision to choose NIU? If so, how?
Yes, NIU had a transfer scholarship program with the College of DuPage.

How has that financial support shaped your ability to pursue your education and make the most of your time here?
Financial aid helped me to fund my education while commuting to campus. It gave me the ability to participate in extracurricular activities and research.